Crew held on toothfish catch

A Uruguayan-flagged boat seized on suspicion of poaching rare Patagonian toothfish was escorted to Australia yesterday after a 21-day chase, with its 39 crew held.

The Viarsa, suspected of poaching the highly prized toothfish from a remote Australian fishing zone, was stormed by armed Australian and South African fisheries officials after a 21-day chase across the Southern Ocean.

Customs officials say the boat was carrying 85 tonnes of the protected toothfish, which can grow to 2.2m (7 ft). The crew, brought to the port of Fremantle, face fishing charges which carry fines of up to A$550,000 (£240,000). They also face charges of fleeing authorities, which could lead to jail.